Lot 17
Joe Kiloonik ᑭᓗᓂ (1938-2011)
Lot 17 Details
Joe Kiloonik ᑭᓗᓂ (1938-2011), Taloyoak (Spence Bay)
POWER OF THE SHAMAN, CA. 1991
stone, antler
signed in Roman and syllabics; accompanied by a photocopy of the original bill of sale, and of a "Canada Eskimo Art" tag inscribed "Joe Kiloonik / Spence Bay / Composite / 01 Dec 91 / Carving / 9122-54"
including implements 23 x 28 x 26.5 in — 58.4 x 71.1 x 67.3 cm
Estimate $8,000-$12,000
Additional Images
Provenance:
The North West Company Inc., Toronto, ON, 1992
Private Collection, Pittsburgh, PA
Literature:
Inuit Art Quarterly, Winter 1992, Vol. 7, No.1
Note:
Images of transformation and otherworldly power course through the sculptures of Joe Kiloonik. His images of shaman drumming and figures in wide-eyed transformation seem to epitomize what proselytizing missionaries in the first half of the 20th century fought so hard to suppress in many Inuit communities. Born in 1938, Kiloonik started carving in stone in the 1970s, but seems to have hit his stride in the 1980s and early 90s with works such as the monumental and dramatic Power of the Shaman.
While Kiloonik was not a prolific artist, we are delighted to have two works from the artist included in this auction, Howling Bear, lot 20, and the important Power of the Shaman.
Darlene Coward Wight, Art & Expression of the Netsilik (Winnipeg: Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2000), 78-79.